2012 Watertown Children's Book Award Winners

The Children’s Department is pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 Watertown Children’s Book Award! Nominated books met certain criteria, specifically that books were original pieces and were published in 2011.

Our Winners:

Nonfiction:

Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

Fiction:

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Picture Book:

I want my hat back by Jon Klassen

You don’t need to wait until next year to tell us about the books you enjoy! If you loved a book (or didn’t enjoy it as much as you hoped) let us know! Your opinion matters, and is important to us.

Curious about other Children’s Books that won awards?

This year the John Newbery Medal went to Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos, and the Randolph Caldecott Medal went to A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka.

Review (and keep!) a free book

You could be one of the very first people to read some brand new books! And then you can keep the book as part of your home library!

Occasionally, publishers send free books to our library either before they're available for purchase or when they've just come out. We'd love to involve YOU in reviewing these books!

Here's how:

- Stop in at the Children's Department and pick up a book.

- Take it home and read it.

- Write up a quick review about what you liked or didn't like.

- Give us the review.

- Enjoy your free book!

You can either write out your review on paper and bring it in, or you can e-mail it to us. If you'd like to e-mail your review, ask for one of the Children's Librarians' e-mails when you pick up the book.

The number of books is limited, and once they're gone, they're gone. So stop in soon if you're interested!

Book a Librarian!

Have you got a question that seems just a little too in-depth or complicated to pop into the library and ask? Maybe you just got your child a new e-reader and you want to find out how to use our free e-books. Or maybe your child has a big research project for school and you'd like some guidance on how to get started.

Ordinarily, the library is bustling with children and families and we librarian's can't spend as much time as we'd like on these types of questions.

But never fear! You can book a librarian! Stop in or call us in advance with what you need help with, and we can set up a special meeting with you where we can focus some additional time on your question.

We'll specifically be available at 4:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month (you'll still need to register in advance, though). But if that time doesn't work for you, it's no problem! We can book a time with you that works with your schedule!

Stop in at the library or call 617-972-6435 for more information or to register.